Docking station assembly for transmitting digital files

ABSTRACT

A docking station assembly for transmitting digital images, the docking station assembly comprises a housing for forming an enclosure for the docking station assembly and the housing includes an insert-receiving portion for receiving any of a plurality of removable and replaceable inserts; and a removable and replaceable insert having a docking mating portion which mates with the insert-receiving portion, and having a camera mating portion having a shape of a portion of a particular digital camera.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to docking stations for digital camerasand, more particularly, to such docking stations having a replaceableinsert for permitting docking of a plurality of cameras.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently known and utilized docking stations for digital camerasinclude a base portion into which the camera is inserted for downloadingimages and the like to a personal computer. The docking station furtherincludes an electrical connector which is connected to the personalcomputer for transmitting the digital images to the computer.

Although the currently known and utilized docking station issatisfactory, it includes drawbacks. Such prior art docking stationsonly permit one model of camera to be inserted into a particular dockingstation. Consequently, a user must purchase a new docking station foreach camera. Obviously, this is not cost efficient.

Consequently, a need exists for a docking station which permits multiplemodels of cameras to be inserted therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect ofthe present invention, the present invention resides in a dockingstation assembly for transmitting digital images, the docking stationassembly comprising: a) a housing for forming an enclosure for thedocking station assembly and said housing includes an insert-receivingportion for receiving any of a plurality of removable and replaceableinserts; and b) a removable and replaceable insert having a dockingmating portion which mates with the insert-receiving portion, and havinga camera mating portion having a shape of a portion of a particularelectronic device.

These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a reviewof the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments andappended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Advantageous Effect of the Invention

The present invention has the advantage of permitting a plurality ofdigital cameras to use a single docking station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a docking station of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insert of the present invention thatis attached to the docking station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second insert of the present inventionthat is also attachable to the docking station of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insert installed in the dockingstation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, the present invention will be described inthe preferred embodiment as a software program. Those skilled in the artwill readily recognize that the equivalent of such software may also beconstructed in hardware.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a docking station 10 of the presentinvention. The docking station 10 includes a base portion 20 forpermitting the docking station 10 to be placed on suitable objects, suchas a desk and the like. The docking station 10 further includes an upperenclosing portion 30 attached to the base portion 20 which upper portion30, in combination with the base portion, forms an enclosure for thedocking station 10. As is well-known to those skilled in the art, thedocking station 10 includes electronic components in the interior of theenclosure formed by the base 20 and upper enclosing portion 30 forpermitting transmission of digital images to a personal computer (notshown). This transmission may be directed by any suitable softwareprogram, such as Kodak Picture Software™ available in EasyShare™products from Eastman Kodak Company, which software may be installed onthe personal computer.

The upper enclosing portion 30 includes a notched-out, elongatedindentation portion 40 for receiving a replaceable insert (not shown inFIG. 1). It is instructive to note that the indentation portion 40 mayreceive any of a plurality of inserts, each insert receives a particulardigital camera. This permits the docking station to be flexible andcost-efficient in that it can receive a plurality of digital cameras 32.The upper enclosing portion 30 further includes a electrical connector35 which matingly connects to a portion of the digital camera forpermitting electrical signal transmission between the camera 32 and thedocking station 10. A finger insert 85 is disposed in the upper portion30 for permitting insertion of the user's finger for easily removing theinsert without any tools. Two recessed portions 45 are also positionedon the upper portion 30 for mating with tabs (described below) forsecuring fit of the docking station 10 and the insert.

A transmit button 50 is disposed in the upper enclosing portion 30 forpermitting a user to initiate transmission of the images by pressing thebutton 50. A light 60 is included on the upper enclosing portion 30 forindicating charging of the camera. It is instructive to note thatcharging is automatically initiated upon insertion of the digital camera32. Such charging techniques are well-known in the art and will not bediscussed in detail herein. The base portion 30 also includes anelectrical connecting portion 70 for receiving an electrical cable whichis connected to the personal computer. A power cable 80 is also attachedto the base portion 20 which power cable 80 is connected to anelectrical outlet (not shown) for supplying electrical power to thedocking station 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the replaceable insert 90 of thepresent invention. The insert 90 includes a bottom portion 100 (notshown in its entirely) having a shape that substantially conforms to theshape of the indentation 40 of the docking station 10 for permitting theinsert 90 to be matingly received by the docking station 10. The insert90 includes an upper portion 110 having a contoured-shape portion 120which conforms substantially to the shape of a mating portion of theparticular camera 32 to which it will be mated. It is instructive tonote that the docking station 10 permits a plurality of inserts to beinserted therein all of which mate to the indentation portion 40.

The insert further includes a cut-away portion 95 for permitting theelectrical connection 35 of the docking station 10 to pass therethroughwhen installed on the docking station 10. Two stabilizing elements 105are disposed on the floor of the insert 90 for stabilizing theconnection of the camera 32 to the insert 90. Positioning tabs 108 aredisposed around the peripheral portion of the insert 90 for securing thefit of the insert 90 to the docking station 10. It is instructive tonote that the tab 108 a mates with the finger inset 85, and the tabs 108b and 108 c respectively mate with the recesses 45. The embodiment shownin FIG. 2 is an example of one of the plurality of inserts. FIG. 3illustrates another example of an insert 90 having the same componentsas discussed above. It is to be noted, however, that the contoured-shapeportion 120 has a different shape from the previously discussed insert90 for permitting reception of a different camera 32.

Referring to FIG. 4, and for clarity of understanding, there is shownthe insert 90 matingly placed in the docking station 10. As is obviousfrom the illustration, the docking station 10 and insert 90 matetogether in an integrated manner.

Although the preferred embodiment illustrates a digital camera, it isinstructive to note that multi-media devices, such as MP3™ players,personal digital assistants, or other electronic devices, may beinstalled in lieu of the digital camera. Still further, wireless devicesmay also be substituted for the digital camera. In this case, theelectrical connection 35 is deleted and substituted with an RF receiver.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations andmodifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

PARTS LIST 10 DOCKING STATION 20 BASE PORTION 30 UPPER ENCLOSING PORTION32 DIGITAL CAMERA 35 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 40 INDENTATION PORTION 45RECESSED PORTION 50 TRANSMIT PORTION 60 LIGHT 70 ELECTRICAL CONNECTINGPORTION 80 POWER CABLE 85 FINGER INSERT 90 REPLACABLE INSERT 105STABILIZING ELEMENT 108 TABS 110 UPPER PORTION 120 CONTOURED-SHAPEDPORTION

1. A docking station assembly for receiving a digital camera, thedocking station assembly comprising: a) a housing for forming a baseportion for the docking station assembly and said housing includes aninsert-receiving portion for receiving any of a plurality of removableand replaceable inserts; and b) a plurality of differently shaped,removable, replaceable, and wireless inserts each having a dockingmating portion on a first side which mates with the insert-receivingportion, and each insert having a uniquely shaped camera mating portionon a second side and each second side having a shape substantially of aportion of a differently shaped digital camera to which the removableand replaceable insert mates.
 2. The docking station assembly as inclaim 1, wherein the insert-receiving portion is a notched-out portion.3. The docking station assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a lightindicator for indication charging of the digital camera.
 4. The dockingstation assembly as in claim 1, wherein the digital camera is a wirelessdevice.
 5. The docking station assembly as in claim 1 further comprisingan electrical connection disposed on the housing for connection to thedigital camera.
 6. The docking station assembly as in claim 5 furthercomprising a floor of the insert having a notched-out portion throughwhich the electrical connection passes.
 7. The docking station assemblyas in claim 6 further comprising one or more stabilizing elements forproviding stable support for connection of the digital camera to theinsert.
 8. The docking station assembly as in claim 1 further comprisingan electrical cable attached to said housing for transmitting digitalsignals.
 9. The docking station assembly as in claim 8 furthercomprising a power cable attached to said housing for transmittingelectrical power to the housing.
 10. A docking station assembly forreceiving a digital camera, the docking station assembly comprising: a)a base portion for the docking station assembly and said base portionincludes a notched-out portion mateable with each of a plurality ofdifferently shaped, removable, replaceable and wireless inserts eachinsert mating with both the base portion on a first side and each matingwith one of a plurality of differently shaped digital cameras on asecond side, wherein each second side includes a unique shapecorresponding to one of the differently shaped digital cameras.
 11. Thedocking station assembly as in claim 10 further comprising a removableand replaceable insert having a docking mating portion which mates withthe notched-out portion on the first side, and having a camera matingportion on the second side having a shape substantially of a portion ofthe digital camera.
 12. The docking station as in claim 10 wherein thefirst side and the second side are on substantially opposite sides toeach other.
 13. The docking station assembly as in claim 10 furthercomprising a light indicator for indicating charging of the digitalcamera.
 14. The docking station assembly as in claim 10, wherein thedigital camera is a wireless device.
 15. The docking station assembly asin claim 10 further comprising an electrical connection disposed on thebase portion for connection to the digital camera.
 16. The dockingstation assembly as in claim 10 further comprising a floor of the inserthaving a notched-out portion through which the electrical connectionpasses.
 17. The docking station assembly as in claim 16 furthercomprising one or more stabilizing elements for providing stable supportfor connection of the electronic device to the insert.
 18. The dockingstation assembly as in claim 10 further comprising an electrical cableattached to said base portion for transmitting digital signals.
 19. Thedocking station assembly as in claim 18 further comprising a power cableattached to said base assembly for transmitting electrical power to thebase portion.
 20. A digital imaging assembly comprising: a) a baseportion having an insert-receiving portion for receiving any of aplurality of removable and replaceable inserts; b) a first removable,replaceable and wireless insert having a docking mating portion on afirst side mated with the insert-receiving portion, and having a cameramating portion on a second side having a first shape unique to a portionof a first digital camera; wherein the first digital camera is mated tothe camera mating portion; and c) a second removable, replaceable andwireless insert substitutable for the first insert, and the secondinsert includes a docking mating portion on a first side mateable withthe insert-receiving portion, and having a camera mating portion on asecond side having a second shape unique to a second digital camerawhich second shape is different from the first shape.
 21. The digitalimaging assembly as in claim 20, wherein the insert-receiving portion isa notched-out portion.
 22. The digital imaging assembly as in claim 20further comprising a light indicator for indicating charging of thefirst digital camera.
 23. The digital imaging assembly as in claim 20,wherein the first digital camera is a wireless.
 24. The digital imagingassembly as in claim 20 further comprising an electrical connectiondisposed on the base portion for connection to the first digital camera.25. The digital imaging assembly as in claim 24 further comprising afloor of the insert having a notched-out portion through which theelectrical connection passes.
 26. The digital imaging assembly as inclaim 25 further comprising one or more stabilizing elements forproviding stable support for connection of the first digital camera tothe first insert.
 27. The digital imaging assembly as in claim 20further comprising an electrical cable attached to said base portion fortransmitting digital signals.
 28. The digital imaging assembly as inclaim 27 further comprising a power cable attached to said base assemblyfor transmitting electrical power to the base portion.